One of several high-profile veterans to agree to join a practice squad in this unusual NFL season, Alec Ogletree will be in a more familiar position Sunday.
The Jets are promoting the veteran linebacker to their active roster. Ogletree was a free agent for several months before agreeing to stay in New York on a Jets practice squad deal.
Ogletree started for two seasons with the Giants, with that tenure coming after a five-year Rams run. Although advanced metrics were not especially high on the veteran defender during his Giants stay, he intercepted five passes and returned two for scores in a productive 2018 season. The Giants, however, made Ogletree a cap casualty earlier this year and then devoted much of those funds to paying Blake Martinez.
Avery Williamson is questionable to play against the 49ers on Sunday, and the Jets are without C.J. Mosley because of his opt-out decision. Ogletree, still just 28, has made 93 starts. Should he not start for the Jets on Sunday, it will mark his first time as a game-day backup since going in the 2013 first round. Ogletree played for current Jets DC Gregg Williams during the latter’s final three Rams seasons (2014-16).
The Jets also promoted running back Josh Adams and wide receiver Josh Malone to their active roster, using the 2020 practice squad elevation option for the two skill-position players. Gang Green has run into extensive injury trouble at wideout and placed Le’Veon Bell on IR this week.
I thought there was a rule against promoting the same players from the practice squad in consecutive weeks. I know they can’t be promoted more than twice without being signed. Promoting both Adams and Malone is a headscratcher. Even if I’m wrong about the consecutive weeks’ rule, I’m pretty sure about the two-game limit. With a bunch of players able to come off the IR in a couple weeks, though others could go on it, you no longer have the option to bring these two up after this week. I understand Adams is the only RB on the PS, but there are several WRs including Cager and Scott.
I gather the intention was always to sign Ogletree but to give a week to learn the system. I thought Adams might’ve been signed while using Ogletree off the PS, but I’m guessing they’re figuring Perine is about ready to play. Adams would have to be signed if another RB gets injured.